Weigh hopper



April 28 1953 J. N. RICHARDSON 2,636,648

WEIGH HOPPER Filed une ls' 1948 2 SHEETS SHEET 2 Patented Apr. 28, 1953 WEIGH HOIPER .lohn N. Richardson, Port Washington, Wis., as-

signor to Modern Equipment Company, Port Washington, HWiS., a corporation of Wisconsin Application June 19, 1948, Serial N o. 34,016

7 Claims. `(C1. Z22-503)` This invention relates to improvements in weigh hoppers.

'In foundries it is common practice to use weigh hoppers for the purpose of depositing a charge ci predetermined weight into cupola charging buckets which, when they are in the loading pit, are4 positioned` directly below said weigh hoppers. Certain charging `buckets of recent design have been built with an elongated beam of box-like construction extending diametrically across the open upper portion thereof, 1n loading this type oi bucket from the conventional type of weigh hopper, an appreciable amount of the charge will lodge on top ofthe cross-beam or roll off of said beam'and drop exteriorly of the charging bucket. Anvspilling of the charge as above escribed obviously results in waste and ineiiiciency.

It is therefore' a general object of the invention to providev a weigh hopper which, when used to load a charging' bucket, will direct all of the charge into thebucket.

A further 'object of the invention is to provide a weigh hopper which isformed with a centrai partition of predetermined thickness extending from one side of the hopper'to the other.

A further object of' the invention is to provide a weigh hopper wherein the partition is so disposed that when the hopper is use-d to load a charging buckety having a beam extending across thetop thereof, the partition will be aligned with said beam and will prevent any appreciable amount of the charge from coming in contact therewith.

-A further, rnorerspecinc` object of the invention is `to provide a weigh hopper of the class de scribed having a paix` of swingable bottom doors and having a hollow partition within which the linkage for actuating said doors is mounted.

A` further, more specic object of the inven tion is to proVide-aweigh hopper of the class. described having a. pair of swingable bottom doors each ot which issupported' by a pair of lugs piv otally mounted on*` the outside. of the bucket, and

each of. which is provided with a centrally disposed lug which extends into the hollow partition and which is connected'` with the door actuating linkage therein.

Aviurther, object of the invention is to provideA a weighhopper of the classdescribed whereinthe swingable bottom doors thereof are connected to a safety linkage in a manner to cause simultaneous movement oi both doors in response to` actuation thereof by the actuating mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide aweigh hopper of the class described which is strongV and durable, which is eiicient in operation, and whichis otherwise wel] adapted for the purposes described..

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists of the improved weigh hopper, and all of its parts and combinations, as set forth inthe claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanyingV drawing, wherein is disclosed one-complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, and wherein the same reference numerals indicate the same parts in all oi theviews:

Fig. I is a sidel View of the improved weigh hopper;

Fig. 2` is a verticals'ecti'onal view of the irnproved weigh hopper taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a pian view of the improved weigh hopper, parts being broken away to more clearly show structural details; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line. 4--4 of Fig. l and showing a portion of a` charging bucket below the improved weigh hopper and in position to be loaded thereby.

Referring more. particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the numeral 5` indicates the improved weigh hopper having a rectangular body portion, and the numeral 6 indicates a pair of swirigablel bottom doors therefor. The hopper body is formed. of a pair of substantially identical, spaced apart andparallel side walls 1' and il which are preferably rectangular in shape with the exception that the lower ends thereof taper down` wardly` as at 9 and I0 toward acentral apex l (see Figs. 1 and 2). The walls l' and il are connected atk their side edges to a pair of parallel, preferablyrectangular endwalls l2 and I3. The upper ends of the. walls l, il, l2 and I3 are prei'- erably bent outwardly` to form the marginal flange I4.

Extending between the central portions of the end walls `l2 and I3` are a pair of spaced walls iii and I6 which are substantiallythe same shape as, and are parallel with, the side walls l and 8. The walls l5 and I8 angle inwardly toward one another at the topl thereof and loin. at a central apex ll.. The walls l5 and IB form a hollowv partition which separates the hopper body 5 into two compartments.

The wall I3 is formed' with a slot il extending. upwardly from' its lower edge,l the side edges of said slot being coincident with the inner surfaces of the plates l2 and I3; The plate I2 is rormed with a slot 45 extending upwardly from lts lower edgep and this slotv is ci the same size as the slot 44 but positioned oppositely thereaceams j ffrom. The plate I2 is also formed with an aperture 46 in its upper portion in line with the slot 25.

The swingable bottom doors S are substantially identical in shape and each comprises a flat rectangular plate I3, having elongated arms or lugs I3 projecting upwardly, at preferably right angles from its ends. The arms I9 extend outside the walls l and 3 of the hopper, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and are pivotally connected to said walls at their upper ends in any suitable manner, as at 23, 2l, 22 and 23. The pivots 23, 2l, 22 and 23 are so positioned that when the doors 6 are closed, the plates I3 thereof are in engagement with the edges 9 and I3 of the walls l, 3, I and i3 and so that when the doors are opened, they can swing to the dot and dash line position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The arms 9 are so formed and positioned that the axes of the coaxial pivot points 2li and 23, and 2I and 22 are each in substantially the same vertical plane as the center of gravity of their corresponding doors t. Therefore, the'doors t, when in their normal closed position and when not subject to a load, are stable and do not tend to move. However, when a load is placed in the hopper and on the inclined plates ill, the inclination of the plates causes the doors to tend to swing outwardly to release the load. When the load is released, the doors tend to swing back to their normal stable closed position.

Each of the doors 3 is formed with an upstanding lug 2li which is preferably positioned midway between the arms i2 thereof, and near the outer edge thereof. The lugs 2d project upwardly and are parallel with the walls I5 and it. Since the lugs 24 are on the centerlines of the doors 6, they project between the walls I5 and I3 of the hopper body, as shown in l'igs. 2 and 3.

Pivotally mounted between the upper portions of the plates l5 and it near one side thereof, as on the pin 25, is a bell` crank lever 26 having a relatively short arm 2l and a relatively long arm' 23 extending at preferably a right angle thereto. Pivotally connected to the arm 2l of the lever 26 is a shaft 2d, which may be connected to any suitable source of reciprocatory power such as a hydraulic ram (not shown). The shaft 29 projects through the aperture it of the plate I2. Pivotally connected to the end of the arm 28 and depending downwardly therefrom is an elongated link 33.` .The lower end of the link 3&1 is pivotally connected, as at 3l, to a pair of links 32 and 33, and the latter project upwardly and outwardly where they are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the lugs 2t, as at 34 and 35. It is to be noted that lever 23, the links 32), 32 and 33, and the lugs 2li, are all within the hollow partition formed by the walls I5 and IG.

In operation, referring to Fig. 2, outward movement of the shaft 29 causes counter-clockwise rotation of the lever 23 about the pin 25. This movement will cause an upward pull on link 33 which, in turn, will cause thelinks 32 and 33 tov ypush upwardly and outwardly on the lugs 2l,

thereby swinging the doors 6 outwardly to the dot and dash line positions of Figs. 1 vand 2. In-

ward movement of the shaft 29 will return the mechanism to the full line position of Figs.A 1 and 2.

A lever 36 is pivotally mounted intermediate its length as at 3l on the exterior of the wall 7.

.4 lever 33, and pivotally connected at the other end to one of the arms I9 of one of the doors t, as at 38, is a link 39. Pivotally connected to the upper end of the link 3S and pivotally connected to one of the arms I9 of the other door as at l, is a link lll. The safety linkage formed by the lever 36 and links 39 and 15| insures both of the doors f5 moving in unison and insures such movement inwardly or outwardly from the apex II at the same speed. Referring to Fig. 1, as the doors 6 swing outwardly toward the dot and dash line positions, the lever 3e is moved clockwise by the pull thereon from the links 39 and di. Neither door 6 can move without the other door moving the same amount inwardly or outwardly.

The improved weigh hopper is particularly well adapted for use with cupola charging buckets having a box-like beam or similar member extending across the open top thereof. Fig. 4 shows a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the upper portion of a bucket 42 of this type.

The bucket l2 has an outwardly flanged open top and has a box-shaped beam 33 extending diametrically across said open top. It Will be noted that the periphery of the top of the bucket 52 extends substantially outwardly of the side plates 7 and 8 of the improved weigh hopper. The improved weigh hopper is preferably s0 positioned with respect to the loading position of the charging bucket e2 that the hollow partition formed by the plates i5 and I6 is directly above and in alinement with the box-shaped beam 43 as is clear from Fig. 4. The plates l5 and I6 are preferably spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the beam t3 of the bucket 42.

It is apparent that all of the charge which is placed into the improved weigh hopper can be directed into the charging bucket 42 without any of the charge striking the beam d3 and rolling exteriorly of the bucket, and without any of the charge lodging on top of the beam 43.

It is to be noted that the doors when in closed position have the bottom plates I8 angled toward one another as shown by full lines in Fig. 2, to conform with the angle of the bottom edges 9 and I0. This arrangement, in conjunction with the disposition of the pivots 20, 2I, 22 and 23, insures that the lowermost portions of the arcs of movement of the lowermost edges of the plates I3 are never substantially below the point II of Fig. 2. Thus, the bottom of the weigh hopper can be positioned relatively close to the top of the bucket to be filled, as in Fig. 4, and the doors can be swung to open position while the members are disposed in the position of Fig. 4 without the doors hitting the top of the bucket 42. By making it possible to position the weigh hopper close to the top of the bucket, spillage of the charge to the exterior is prevented.

The improved weigh hopper is provided with doorA operating mechanism which is composed of a minimum number of parts, and which, in addition, operates smoothly. The unique hollow partition -not only provides a means for mounting the novel actuating linkage, but it also provides a cover for said linkage which prevents.

any portion of the charge from coming in contact with the linkage and thereby fouling it. The safety linkage insures that both doors operate simultaneously, thereby preventing jamming thereof.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. and all of such changes are contemplated,"as" will come within the Vscope ofthe claims.

I claim is:

l.. A, weigh; hopper comprising a body having side walls, having an open top and `an open bottom, a 0i' swingable doors for said bottom, each oi' said doors being formed with a pair of parallel arms projecting upwardly at a right angle therefrom and pivotally connected to opposite sides of said' hopper body, a lever pivotally mounted Vintermediate itslength on one side wall ci hopper body between the adjacent arms oi Vsaid doors, a link pivotally connecting one end of said lever with an arm of one of said doors; a link pivotally connecting the other end ci said lever with an arm of the other of said doors, said linksbeing oisuch length that one end of said lever is at all times `positioned `above the axis of pivotal movement `ofsaid lever and the other end of said lever is at all times positioned below said axis of pivotal movement; and means separate from said lever and links for opening said swingable doors.

2. A weigh hopper comprising a rectangular body having an open top and an open bottom, a pair oi' swingable doors for said bottom, a hollow vertical partition in said hopper extending between one pair of opposite sides thereof and positioned intermediate the other pair of opposite sides thereof, each of said swingable doors being formed on its inner surface with a lug which'is adapted to project into said hollow partition, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted within, said hollow partition for movement in a vertical plane, a vertically extending first link positioned within said partition and pivotally connected at its upper end with one arm of said bell crank lever, a second link pivotally connected at one end with the lower end of said rstmentioned link and extending upwardly and outwardly to a pivotal connection with the lug of one of said doors, a third link pivotally connected with the lower end of said rst-mentioned link and extending upwardly and outwardly to a pivotal connection with the lug of the other of said doors, and means for connecting the other arm of said bell crank lever with a source of reciprocatory power.

3. A weigh hopper comprising a rectangular body having an open top and an open bottom, a pair of swingable doors for said bottom, a hollow vertical partition in said hopper extending between one pair of opposite sides thereof and positioned intermediate the other pair of opposite sides thereof, said partition having a closed top and open bottom and side portions, each of said swingable doors being formed on its inner surface with a lug which is adapted to project into said hollow partition, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted within said hollow partition for movement in a vertical plane, a vertically extending rst link positioned within said partition and pivotally connected at its upper end with one arm of said bell crank lever, a second link pivotally connected at one end with the lower end of said tiret-mentioned link and extending upwardly and outwardly to a pivotal connection with the lug of one of said doors, a third link pivotally connected with the lower end of said rst-mentioned link and extending upwardly and outwardly to a pivotal connection with the lug of the other of said doors, and means for connecting the other arm of said bell crank lever with a source of reciprocatory power.

4. A weigh hopper comprising a rectangular body having;.anvopenrftoprand annpen bottom, apair-'oi "swingable doors for-said bottom,` a hol v low vertical partition in said hopper `extending between one pair of opposite sides thereof and` bell crank lever pivotally `mounted withinsaidi hollow partitlonfor movement in a vertical plane; a vertically extending rstlink positioned within said partition andy pivotally connected at `its upper end with one arm of said bell crankV lever.A

a second linkpivotally connected at oneiend with `the lower end of said inst-mentioned link and` extending upwardly and .outwardly` to a pivotal connection. with the lng of one of said doors, a thi-rd `link pivotally connected with the lower end or said; mst-mentioned linkV and extending upwardly and outwardly to ai pivotal` connection with the lug of the other of said doors, means for connecting the other arm of said bell crank lever with a source of reciprocatory power, and safety Iiir :age pivotally mounted on said hopper body and pivotally connected to each of said doors, said linkage being arranged to cause both of said doors to move simultaneously.

5. A weigh hopper comprising: a body having a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls and having an open top and an open bottom, the lower edges of said yopposite sidewalls being V-shaped; a pair oidoolis each having an inclined portion normally positioned in engagement with the tf-shaped lower edges of said hopper sidewalls to close the open bottom of said hopper; and a pair of supporting arms projecting upwardly from each door and pivotally connected at their upper ends to said opposite hopper sidewalls at points spaced laterally outwardly from the apexes of the lower edges of said walls on the same side of said apexes as the corresponding door, said pivotal connections of the door supporting arms of each door with the hopper sidewalls being above and in substantially the same vertical plane as the center of gravity of said door when the latter is in its normal closed position, whereby said doors are in stable suspended condition when closed.

6. A weigh hopper for use in iilling a bucket which has a vertical partition comprising: a body having a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls and having an open top and an open bottom, the lower edges of said pair of opposite sidewalls being V-shaped; a hollow vertical partition extending transversely of said hopper body midway between said pair of sidewalls, the lower edge of said partition having substantial width to prevent material from lodging on top of the bucket partition; a pair of doors each having an inclined portion normally positioned in engagement with the V-shaped lower edges of said hopper sidewalls to close the open bottom of said hopper; a pair of supporting arms projecting upwardly from each door and pivotally connected at their upper ends to said opposite hopper sidewalls at points spaced laterally from the apexes of the lower edges of said walls on the same side of said apexes as the corresponding door, said pivotal connections of the door supporting arms of each door with the hopper sidewalls being above and in substantially the same vertical plane as the center of gravity of said door when the latter is in its normal closed position, whereby said doors are in stable suspended condition when closed; power operated actuating linkage in said hollow partition connected to said doors; and safety linkage pivotally mounted on said hopper body and pivotally connected to each of said doors, said safety linkage being arranged to cause both of said doors to move simultaneously.

7. A weigh hopper comprising: a body having a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls and having an open top and an open bottom, the lower edges of said opposite sidewalls being V-shaped; a

hollow vertical partition in said hopper parallel with said sidewalls and midway therebetween; a

sidewalls being 'above and in substantially theV same vertical plane as the center of gravity of..

said door when the latter is in its normal closed position, whereby said doors are in stable suspended condition when closed and power operated actuating linkage in said hollow partition connected to said doors.

JOHN N. RICHARDSON.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,109,377 Waller et al. Sept. 1, 1914 2,069,739 Fldes et al Feb. 9, 1937 2,501,743 Schellentrager Mar. 28, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 573,997 Great Britain Dec. 17, 1945 

